Nation
THE STATES

Bauchi
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, announced last Saturday that the Federal Government would construct a police transit camp worth N300 million in Bauchi South.
Dogara, who made the announcement in Dass, headquarters of Dass Local Government Area in Bauchi State, said the contract for the construction of 60kilometres road in the area would start soon.
The road is expected to traverse Tudun Wuis, Wandi, Baraza, Buru, Zundu-Lucshi, Baza and Dot.
He explained that the camp would be sited in Kutaru in Dass Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of the state.
FCT
A university teacher, Dr Mustapha Hussaini, has solicited for assistance from the international community to complement Federal Government’s efforts towards rehabilitating the released 82 abducted Chibok girls.
Hussaini, a Criminologist and Head of the Department of Sociology, Federal University, Dutse made the call in a telephone interview with newsmen last Sunday.
He said that more than three years in captivity have affected the abducted girls psychologically.
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, disclosed in a statement last Saturday that the 82 abducted Chibok girls were released after negotiations and the release of some suspected Boko Haram members in government’s custody.
Kaduna
A teenager, Usman Gashash, has launched a campaign against all forms of child abuse through his guitar music in Kaduna State.
Gashash spoke with journalists shortly after his performance with little kids at his parent’s house last Sunday in Kaduna.
The 10-year old boy appealed to the African Union to end child exploitation, early child marriage, kid-soldier, the killing of albinos and violence against children accused of witchcraft in the continent.
Reports say that Gashash has held series of campaign in schools, homes and in his neighbourhood, against all forms of child abuse and tortures, through his musical group.
The creative and talented young music artiste appealed to the continental body to find means of ending terror activities, religious extremism and insecurity destabilising millions of children.
Kebbi
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, last Sunday called for legislative action that ensures constitutional role for traditional leaders in the country.
Dogara made the call during a courtesy visit to Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, in Birnin Kebbi, on the sidelines of the turbanning ceremony of the Chief Whip of the House, Alhassan Adodoguwa, as the Dallatun Kangiwa in Arewa Local Government Area of the state.
The Speaker was, however, represented at the occasion by the Deputy Leader of the House, Umar Jibril, who also led other members to the state.
He said that it was time for Nigerians to give traditional rulers constitutional recognition because, in the past, people derived their power and authority from the traditional institution.
“It is high time we started going down the memory lane to actualise this dream. We pray that we shall achieve this and promote the traditional rulers to their actual position in the country”.
Kogi
Sole Administrator and Chief Executive, National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO, Mr Bernard Nnagha, Itakpe says the Federal Government spends three to four million naira monthly to maintain the company.
He stated this in an interview with newsmen last Friday in Lokoja.
The sole administrator also said the amount, representing overhead allocation, was spent to maintain the security of the one billion-dollar government investment company, among others, in spite its moribund condition.
Nnagha also said about 800 members of staff working in the company received their salaries through the Integrated Pay Role and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
Kwara
The Ilorin West Local Government Council of Kwara State says it will ensure the completion of the secretariat of the IGS/Asa Dam zone of the state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Tailors.
The chairman, Transitional Implementation Committee (TIC) of the council, Malam Abdulhameed Ali, made the pledge last Sunday while performing the foundation laying ceremony of the secretariat project.
He said one of the cardinal policies of the council was to uplift artisans in the area to boost their earnings.
Ali, who was awarded the best TIC Chairman in the state by the union, promised to mobilise support for the actualisation of the project.
Earlier, the President of the union, Mr Isiaka Abdulazeez, said the chairman was given the award because of his efforts at making life better for people of the grassroots.
He appealed to the chairman to assist the union in building “the befitting secretariat complex”.
Lagos
Nigeria’s Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, last Saturday in Lagos, called for the prosecution of those he described as detractors in the fight against corruption in the country.
Prof. Soyinka made the call at the opening of his Vision of the Child Art Exhibition, 2017 edition, at Freedom Park, Lagos with the theme: Enhance the Heritage; Advance the Future, in celebrating Lagos at 50.
He said that most times, the anti-corruption agency was sent on the wrong track or wild goose chase, resulting in no prosecution.
“When we talk about corruption, is it not time we legislate against detractors, who deliberately create distraction. Say for instance, the money just found in Lagos.
‘‘One governor claimed that the money belongs to his state government, claiming a proceed from the sale of some turbines and so on.
Nasarawa
Unknown gunmen last Saturday night, abducted the mother and sister of Mr Kassim Mohammed-Kassim, member representing (APC) Akwanga South Constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.
The Police spokesman in the state, DSP Kennedy Idirisu confirmed the abduction to newsmen last Sunday in Lafia.
According to Idirisu, the gunmen in their numbers, stormed the residence of the lawmaker at Moroa in Akwanga at about 8 pm and shot sporadically before whisking the two women away.
He said that the police were collaborating with the vigilante group in the area to locate the victims.
“As we speak, our men are already combing the areas in search of the victims and to apprehend the perpetrators,” Idirisu said.Sokoto
Sokoto
No fewer than 67 bandits have surrendered their arms in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, according to its Chairman, retired Col. Garba Moyi.
Moyi told newsmen in Sokoto last Sunday that the arms were surrendered under an Amnesty Programme of the state government, headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba. Isa Local Government is close to Niger Republic and had witnessed many acts of brigandage and cattle rustling.
Moyi said, “fifty five of them surrendered their arms on April 14,2017, and were rewarded with cash, land plots to build houses and farmlands, to the tune of N30.5million.
“ The remaining 12 surrendered their arms afterwards and we are expecting more of them to do so soon.
“Similar welfare packages are also being arranged for those who surrendered their arms subsequently.”
Moyi stated that the surrendered arms included AK 47, pistols and submachine guns, among others. He did not specify the number of guns recovered.
Taraba
A violent clash between farmers and cattle rearers in Ussa and Takum Council Areas of Taraba State has left at least 15 people dead while several others sustained various degrees of injuries.
The State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in the state, Alhaji Sahabi Mahmoud, and the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state Police Command, Mr David Misal (ASP), have confirmed the incident.
Reports that while Sahabi said at least 15 of his members were killed and buried in Takum last Friday, Misal said that the police could only confirm five deaths as at the time of filing this report.
Sahabi, who spoke with newsmen in Jalingo last Saturday, also expressed fear that more corpses of his members might be in the bush as more than 150 of them were still missing.
He claimed that hundreds of livestock belonging to the herdsmen were wandering in the bush as their owners could not be traced.
He called on security agencies and the state government to come to the aid of hundreds of other cattle breeders, whom he said were trapped in the forests of Ussa and Takum to get out alive with their animals.
Meanwhile, the PPRO told newsmen in Jalingo last Saturday that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Yakubu Babas has relocated to Takum to ensure that the crisis was brought under control.
Nation
Over 26,000 Lagos Students Failed 2024 WASSCE -Commissioner
The Lagos State Government has disclosed that 26,592 public school students failed the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, raising alarm across the state’s education sector.
The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, during a ministerial press briefing yesterday in Alausa, Ikeja, said that “45.7 per cent of the 58,188 students from public schools who sat for the exams did not pass.”.
This failure rate comes despite the state government’s significant financial backing N1.577 billion was paid on behalf of the students to cover WAEC fees.
“Suffice to say that the sum of N1,577,794,000 only was paid by the state government as examination fees for 58,188 students who were captured for the year 2024 WASSCE,” Alli-Balogun announced.
In a bid to tighten accountability and avoid wastage, the Commissioner disclosed that biometric and image registration was carried out to accurately determine eligible students for government sponsorship for the 2025 WASSCE.
“The exercise successfully captured and registered 56,134 students as bona fide beneficiaries of the Lagos state government’s sponsorship for the examination,” he added.
However, the Lagos State Government rolled out a bold educational intervention – the Eko Learners’ Support Programme for WASSCE and NECO candidates – aimed at reversing the tide of academic failure in the state’s public schools.
Launched on January 14, 2025, the initiative is part of a broader commitment by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to equip Lagos students with tools for success.
“This forward-thinking initiative was designed to support and empower young scholars in attestation of the ministry’s commitment to advancing interest and management of the educational system in Lagos State,” Alli-Balogun stated.
Nation
Ekiti Vaccinates Over 226,000 Girls Against HPV
Ekiti State Government says it has vaccinated 226,429 eligible girls in the State against the Human Papilloma Virus, an infection believed to be a leading cause of cervical cancer.
The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, said the HPV immunization exercise, which she flagged off in the State in May 2025 was a great success, noting that it reached targeted communities and protected children against cervical cancer.
The governor’s wife made the disclosure in Ado Ekiti yesterday during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting on the introduction of Measles Rubella vaccines in Ekiti State.
She said, “The introduction of Measles Rubella Vaccines is a very crucial step towards protecting Ekiti children particularly the target age group of nine to 14 years from diseases.
“I urge all women in the State to regularly scan their breasts. This can be done with the aid of the Mammography machine which is available at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti”.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, noted that the Measles Rubella vaccines would be rolled out nationally in October, 2025.
Filani said that the State was taking proactive steps to sensitise residents of the State before the date to ensure adequate awareness on the vaccines by citizens.
Nation
Monarch Preaches Peace As He Unveils Palace

The Acting Ochimba of Ogida in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Ndudiri Azuatalam, says peace remains paramount in the socio-economic development of Etche land.
Eze Azuatalam, however, called on his people to embrace and eschew violence at all times.
The Onwa Nagbara Oha made the call during the official commissioning of his palace at Ogida recently.
The epoch-making ceremony held at his palace saw the attendance of members of the Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs; the academia; the political class; the clergy ; women as well relevant stakeholders within and outside Etche land.
The Ngbaragida of Azuafor re-emphasised the essence of peace and social harmony which he said open the window for meaningful development to take place.
He also sought the support and collaboration of his people to achieve the desired goals of development, progress and prosperity.
He noted that the peace being witnessed in the area must be sustained through collective effort, saying, contributions and sacrifices need to be made by all concerned to live in peace.
Eze Azuatalam said his aim towards building a better Ogida cannot be compromised as he and his people have no other place called home.
The Acting Ochimba said as part of efforts to build a better Ogida, he has instituted a number of development projects, adding that some of his kinsmen have been empowered through his hard-earned money and resources, saying, he will continue to assist the less- privileged around him.
He reaffirmed his desire to impact positively on the lives of his people as the engagement of the youths will help to reduce social vices in the area.
He thanked members of the Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs for honouring his invitation.
He specifically thanked the Onyi Ishi Etche and Ochie of Etcheland, His Eminence E mmanuel Opurum for leading Etche on the path of prosperity, and described the revered King as a role model to the younger generation.
He said his fatherly role has been a source of hope and inspiration to his subjects.
The palace was unveiled by His Eminence with the assistance of Ochimba of Abara, Eze Jonah Nwala and other prominent Etche traditional rulers and chiefs while the Onyi Ishi Etche was represented by Eze Ken Nwala, Onyi Ishi Agwuru, Ulakwo/ Umuselem Clan.
The Onyi Ishi Etche urged other prominent sons of Etche to emulate the kind gesture of Eze Ndudiri Azuatalam as his magnanimity is being seen and appreciated by his people.
Eze Azuatalam also applauded the efforts of Prof Mekuri Ndimele, former Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in the growth of Etche land.
According to him, during Ndimele’ s tenure, a lot of development projects were sited at the institution, including the development of Etcheland and empowerment of Etche people.
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